Athletic helmet with floating adjustable headband



July 11, 1967 D. GORDON ATHLETIC HELMET WITH FLOATING ADJUSTABLEHEADBAND Filed April 20; 1965 v M w 0 2 RM my mac 1 N n E mwm M Dwa3,329,968 Patented July 11, 1967 ice 3,329,968 ATHLETIC HELMET WITHFLOATING ADJUSTABLE HEADBAND Donald W. Gordon, 13070 Francisquito,Baldwin Park, Calif. 91706 Filed Apr. 20, 1965, Ser. No. 449,485 8Claims. (Cl. 2-3) This invention relates to helmets for use by athletesin sports such as skiing, baseball, motorcycling and the like, and alsoadaptable in a somewhat modified form for use in playing the game offootball. In its preferred form (not for football use) the helmet isprovided with a visor for shading the eyes. The general object of theinvention is to provide a helmet having an improved cushioned headbandfor attaching it to a wearers head, the headband being adjustable forfitting heads of varying sizes within a selected range.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a helmet with anadjustable headband which normally maintains a fixed relation betweenthe atheletes forehead and the tip of the visor so as to provide apredetermined fixed relationship between;the visor and the wearers eyes.Further objects are to provide such a helmet, wherein:

(l) The headband can be adjusted to conform exactly to the shape of thewearers head;

(2) When the helmet is being worn, it has freedom to float laterally andlongitudinally with reference to the headband, swinging about a singlepoint of attachment to the headband to the crown of the helmet;

(3) A cushioning pad is provided having portions interposed between theheadband and the helmet shell, whereby in the horizontal floating actionof the shell, horizontal shock loads will be absorbed by compression ofthese interposed portions of the pad;

(4) The externfl surfaces of the helmet are smoth and substantiallydevoid of projecting rivet or bolt heads;

(5) Compressibility of the interposed pad portions accommodatesexpansion of the headband by adjustment to larger heads;

(6) The pad is held in position by its interfitting arrangement with theheadband, yet is readily removable and replaceable;

(7) Means for adjusting the headband is disposed at the rear side of thehelmet, so as to provide the fixed relation between the visor or frontedge of the helmet and ,the athletes forehead;

(8) The adjustment means is disposed internally of the helmet and isaccessible through an aperture or apertures in the rear of the shell,thus making it possible to adjust the headband while the helmet is onthe athletes head.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent in the ensuingspecification and appended drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an inverted plan view of an athletic'helrnet embodying myinvention;

FIG. 2 -is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a broken-away front view, partially in elevation and partiallyin transverse cross-section through the center of the helmet;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view in the median longitudinal vertical plane ofthe helmet;

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view of the headband adjustment means;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the cushion pad component,

dissociated from the helmet; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view of thehelmet, looking forwardly, with the headband shown in rear elevation.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, I have shown therein, as anexample of one form in which the invention may be embodied, an athletichelmet comprising generally a helmet shell A; an adjustable headband Badapted to encircle the head of a wearer for attaching the helmetthereto; and a cushioning lining C for protecting the wearers headagainst direct contact with the yoke C and otherwise cushioning theconnection between the helmet and the wearers head.

Shell A is preferably of a strong, tough, synthetic plastic materialsuch as the polycarbamate known commercially as Lexan, or theacrylonitrile butadiene styrene known commercially as Sicolac. It ispreferably of molded construction although it can be fabricated byheat-softening and forming from sheet plastic material. The shell Acomprises an approximately hemispherical crown 10; a skirt 11 extendeddownwardly from the rearward portion of crown 10; ear flaps 12 extendeddownwardly from the respective side portions of crown 16 to a depthlower than the skirt 11; and a visor 13 formed as a downwardly extensionof the forward portion of the crown 10 and projected forwardlytherefrom. In the rearward portion of the shell A, between the crown 10and the skirt 11 is a window 14. Beneath the window 14,

visor 13 projects forwardly a length considerably less than the lengthof the visor of a baseball cap and is arched downwardly and transverselyso as to be substantially as strong and shock-resistant as the remainingportions of the lower perimeter of the helmet. Its lower edge isdisposed in a position such that it will provide shade from the rays oflight being faced by the wearer of the helmet, to an extent equivalentto the shading effect of a baseball visor.

Headband B comprises a band strap 21 of flexible strap material,preferably a strong, tough, plastic material, slightly plasticized forflexibility and toughness, such as nylon. It is in the form of a splitoval ring having a continuous forward portion which is jacketed in aflat sleeve 22 of cushioning material such as fine-cell sponge rubber orpolyurethane sponge for-cushioning engagement against the forhead of thewearer; and overlapping rear end portions 23 which are snugly encased inand retained by a tubular housing 24 of the adjustment mechanism. Thehousing 24 is covered by a cushioning sleeve 25 for cushioningengagement with the back of the wearers head. Sleeve 25 may be of thesame material as forward cushioning sleeve 22.

The adjustment mechanism comprises an adjustment knob or wheel 26 (FIG.5) having a knurled or knobbed periphery for non-slipping engagement bythe thumb and fingers of the user, and having an operating stud 27projecting from its center through the overlapped ends 23 of band 21,through registering longitudinal slots 28 therein. The actuator stud 27embodies a spur pinion meshing with rack teeth in band ends 23 so as todraw them together when the knob 26 is rotated in one direction and tospread them apart when'the knob is rotated in the opposite direction.The rack teeth of one band end are disposed along one margin of one ofthe slots 28 and the teeth of the other band end are disposed along theopposite margin of the other slot, the slots being disopposite side ofthe knob is exposed in the window 14. Thus, it is possible for thewearer to adjust the head band from the rear of the helmet, reaching histhumb through notch 15 and his fingers though window 14 so as to engagethe knob 26 between his thumb and fingers, the notch 15 beingsufiiciently wide to accommodate lateral movement of the thumb in onedirection while the fingers are shifted in the opposite direction forrotating the knob.

Headband B has an attachment yoke comprising a pair the straps 31 eachhaving a lower end joined to a respec tive side member of the headband21. The upper ends of straps 31' are overlapped as shown and areprovided with a series of spaced apertures 33 arranged along thelongitudinal axis thereof and adapted to receive a fastener stud 34(FIG. 4) extended therethrough. Stud 34 is formed as an integralprojection on shell A, and is headed (as by pressing a hot iron againstits end) thereby securing the straps to the crown 10.

The invention utilizes only the connection to the center of crownthrough stud 34 to provide a universally floating suspension for theheadband B. The headband B is thus free for limited floating movementwhich is yieldingly opposed by cushioning action of the cushion C.

Cushion C consists of a relatively thick (eg inch-7s inch) sheet ofsponge rubber or equivalent sponge plastic material such as polyurethanehaving a central crown portion '41 and respective forward and rear lobes42 and 43 (FIG. 6) which are separated by T-slots 44, whereby theopposed circumferential extremities of the lobes 42 and 43 are providedwith projecting tongues 45 and 46 which are tucked between the lowerends of respective straps 31 and the opposed areas of the shell crown 10as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The forward lobe 42 is preferably offsetinwardly at 47 from the respective tongues 46 so as to have anarcuate'periphery of reduced radius fitted within the inner periphery ofthe cushion sleeve 22 as shown in FIG. 1. The rear lobe 43 is providedwith a cutout recess 48 to receive the knob 26, recess 48 being definedbetween a pair of tabs 49 which are circumferentially separated from theadjoining peripheral portions of lobe V 43 by dart slots 50 cut radiallyinto the lobe 43 from its margin. The tabs 49 are gripped between therespective ends of cushion sleeve 25- and the opposed areas of the rearskirt 11 of shell A, thus serving to tie the rearward portion of thecushion D to the rear of the helmet, In a similar manner, the forwardtongues 46 of the respective "sides of the pad D are confined betweenthe respective sides of headband 21 and shell A sufliciently to securethe end portions of tongues 46 which are tucked behind the end portionsof sleeve 22, thus tying the respective sides of the pad D- to therespective sides of the helmet.

In some instances the depth of the rear skirt 11 of shell A may be suchthat a window (e.g. similar towindow 14, in inverted relation thereto)may be employed in lieu of notch 15. a

I claim:

1. An athletic helmet comprising: a shell having a crown portion and arear skirt; an adjustable headband comprising a band of generally ovalconfiguration having overlapping end portions; attachment means securedto respective side portions of said band, said attachment means beinganchored to the shell so as to provide a connection between the shelland said headband; and adjustment means coacting with the overlapped endportions of'said band for adjusting the circumference of the band, saidadjustment means disposed within the rear area of the helmet andoperable for drawing said overlapped ends of the band together orspreading them dependent upon the direction of rotation; said overlappedends of the band being disposed in the rear of theshell, said adjustmentmeans comprising a disc-like knob disposed between said overlapped endsand said skirt, said skirt being provided with an opening in its lowermargin and with a window disposed abovesaid notch, and said window andopening 4 7 being in registering relation to upperand lower portions ofsaid knob respectively.

2. An athletic helmet comprising: a shell having a crown portion, a rearskirt and a pair of ear-covering side portions; an adjustable headbandcomprising a band generally oval configuration having overlappingirearend portions; an attachment yoke comprising a central portionanchored'to the crown to said shell and respective side straps extendingdownwardly adjacent the sides of the shell and normally spaced inwardlyfrom the respective sides of said shell; cushioning meansinterposed'between' the respective sides of said shell and said headbandin a manner to yieldingly permit horizontal float of said headbandwithin said shell; and adjustment means comprising a knob of wheel forminterposed between said overlapping rear ends of the band and said skirtand having a central portion cooperating with said overlapping ends toeffect spreading thereof when rotated into one direction and to drawsaid overlapping ends together when rotated in the opposite direction;said skirt being provided with an opening in its lower central marginand with a window spaced above said opening, said opening and windowbeing in registering relation to respective lower and upper portions ofsaid knob whereby to provide access to the knob by the thumb and fingersof the wearerfor V actuating said knob.

3. An athletic helmet comprising: a shell having a crown portion, a rearskirt and a pair of ear-covering side portions; a headband of generallyoval configuration.

having an attachment yoke comprising a central portion anchored to thecrown of said shell and respective side straps extending downwardlyadjacent the sides of the shell, and attached to respective sideportions of said band, and normally spaced inwardly from said sides soas to permit lateral float of said headband within said shell; and acushioning pad covering the inner surface of said helmet crown andinterposed between the wearers head and said crown when the helmet isWorn; said cushioning pad having at respective sides thereof, projectingportions extending downwardly between said headband andthe opposed areasof said shell and yieldingly cushioning said lateral float, therespective side portions of said pad being provided with T-slotsincluding transverse head portions through which said straps extend withtheir lower portions projecting downwardly therefrom inwardly of saidpad,

said. side portions being provided with opposed tongues projectinghorizontally toward one another between said projecting lower portionsof the straps and said shell, and said T-slot having a vertical legdefining a narrow space between the opposed ends of said tongues.

4. A helmet as defined in claim 3-, wherein said cushioning means has atrespective sides thereof, projecting portions extending downwardlybetween .said headband and the opposed areas of said shell andyieldingly cushioning said horizontal float.

5. A helmet as defined in claim 3', wherein the respect-ive sideportions of said means are provided with'T -slots including transversehead portions through which said straps extend with their lower portionsprojecting downf wardly therefrom inwardly of said means, and whereinsaid side portions are provided with opposed tongues projectinghorizontally toward one another between said projecting lower portionsof the straps and said shell, said T-slot having a vertical leg defininganarrow space between the opposed ends of saidtongues.

6. A helmet as defined in claim 3, including a transverse-1y elongatedcushion of flat-sleeve form surrounding the forward portion of saidheadband and engageable with the forehead of a wearer.

7. A helmet as defined in claim 3, including a trans- '2 V verselyelongated cushion of flat sleeve form surrounding the rear portionpofthe headband and engageable against the back of a wearers head.

8. An athletic helmet comprising: a shell having 'a crown portion, arear skirt and a pair of. ear covering side portions; a headband ofgenerally oval configuration having an attachment yoke comprising acentral portion anchored to the crown of said shell and respective sidestraps extending downwardly adjacent the sides of the shell, andattached to respective side portions of said band, and normally spacedinwardly from said sides so as to permit lateral float of said headbandwithin said shell; and a cushioning pad covering the inner surface ofsaid helmet crown and interposed between the wearers head and said crownwhen the helmet is worn; said pad having a rearward portion of yoke formdefining a notch of scallop form, respective sides of said yoke portionbeing separated by slots from adjacent side portions of said pad andbeing extended downwardly between the rear portion of said headband andsaid skirt; said band having overlapping rear end portions; and anadjustment knob received in said notch and having means coacting withsaid rear end portions for adjusting the circumference of said headband.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS JORDAN FRANKLIN, PrimaryExaminer. J. R. BOLER, Assistant Examiner.

1. AN ATHLETIC HELMET COMPRISING: A SHELL HAVING A CROWN PORTION AND AREAR SKIRT; AN ADJUSTABLE HEADBAND COMPRISING A BAND OF GENERALLY OVALCONFIGURATION HAVING OVERLAPPING END PORTIONS; ATTACHMENT MEANS SECUREDTO RESPECTIVE SIDE PORTIONS OF SAID BAND, SAID ATTACHMENT MEANS BEINGANCHORED TO THE SHELL SO AS TO PROVIDE A CONNECTION BETWEEN THE SHELLAND SAID HEADBAND; AND ADJUSTMENT MEANS COACTING WITH THE OVERLAPPED ENDPORTIONS OF SAID BAND FOR ADJUSTING THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE BAND, SAIDADJUSTMENT MEANS DISPOSED WITHIN THE REAR AREA OF THE HELMET ANDOPERABLE FOR DRAWING SAID OVERLAPPED ENDS OF THE BAND TOGETHER OFSPREADING THEM DEPENDENT UPON THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION; SAID OVERLAPPEDENDS OF THE BAND BEING DISPOSED IN THE REAR OF THE SHELL, SAIDADJUSTMENT MEANS COMPRISING A DISC-LIKE KNOB DISPOSED BETWEEN SAIDOVERLAPPED ENDS AND SAID SKIRT, SAID SKIRT BEING PROVIDED WITH ANOPENING IN ITS LOWER MARGIN AND WITH A WINDOW DISPOSED ABOVE SAID NOTCH,AND SAID WINDOW AND OPENING BEING IN REGISTERING RELATION TO UPPER ANDLOWER PORTIONS OF SAID KNOB RESPECTIVELY.